Climate comfort system for vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame. A cushion assembly includes a plurality of closed base cells disposed on the frame. Each base cell includes a fixed volume of fluid disposed therein. A plurality of trim cells are disposed on the base cells and include a variable volume of fluid disposed therein. The trim cells are in communication with a fluid pump. A coverstock is disposed over the trim cells. The trim cells further define a plurality of apertures configured to communicate air between a climate control system and a seating surface of the coverstock.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention generally relates to a cushion assembly for avehicle seat, and more particularly to a climate comfort system for avehicle seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Vehicle seat comfort has become increasingly important as passengerstravel for longer periods of time. Providing air ventilation and cushionsupport in the seat through a climate control system can increase thecomfort of passengers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seatingassembly includes a frame. A cushion assembly includes a plurality ofclosed base cells disposed on the frame. Each base cell includes a fixedvolume of fluid disposed therein. A plurality of trim cells are disposedon the base cells and include a variable volume of fluid disposedtherein. The trim cells are in communication with a fluid pump. Acoverstock is disposed over the trim cells. The trim cells furtherdefine a plurality of apertures configured to communicate air between aclimate control system and a seating surface of the coverstock.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cushionassembly includes a plurality of closed base cells. An anti jounce cellis disposed below the base cells proximate a rear portion of the cushionassembly. A plurality of open trim cells are disposed on the base cellsand are in communication with a fluid pump. A coverstock is disposedover the trim cells. The trim cells further include ventilationapertures in communication with a seating surface of the coverstock.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a cushionassembly includes a plurality of closed base cells disposed on a frame.Each base cell includes a fixed volume of fluid disposed therein. Aplurality of open trim cells are disposed on the base cells and are incommunication with a fluid pump. A coverstock is disposed over the trimcells. The trim cells further include ventilation apertures configuredto move air proximate a seating surface of the coverstock.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a cushionassembly is provided that includes variable firmness and adjustabilityto accommodate occupants of different sizes. The cushion assemblyincorporates cells configured to receive fluid. The spacing between thecells is configured to accommodate ventilation apertures that allow forair movement proximate a seating surface of the cushion assembly. Thecushion assembly can be easily manufactured at low costs.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosurewill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vehicle incorporating oneembodiment of a vehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a vehicle seating arrangement of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a side perspective view of a vehicle seating assembly of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a vehicle seatingassembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a top perspective exploded view of a fluid cell configurationof the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a top perspective exploded view of a fluid cell configurationof the present disclosure with ventilation apertures;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a trim cell configuration of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a ventilationaperture of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of one seatback configuration of thepresent disclosure with the seatback reclined;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of a vehicleseatback of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a side schematic view of the seatback configuration of FIG. 7with the seatback reclined.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the vehicle seatback of FIG. 8with the seatback surface rotated forward;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a seatbacksupport panel including side pivot cells with the seatback in a standardposition;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the vehicle seatback of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a seatback with an occupanttilted laterally to one side; and

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a seatback with an occupant tiltedlaterally to one side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. However,it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume variousalternative orientations, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top andbottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, withoutmore constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

Referring to the embodiment generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-14,reference numeral 10 designates a vehicle that includes a vehicleseating assembly 12 having a frame 14. A cushion assembly 16 includes aplurality of closed base cells 18 disposed on the frame 14. Each basecell 18 includes a fixed volume of fluid 20 disposed therein. Aplurality of trim cells 22 are disposed on the base cells 18 and includea variable volume of fluid 24 disposed therein. The trim cells 22 are incommunication with a fluid pump 26. A coverstock 28 is disposed over thetrim cells 22. The trim cells 22 further define a plurality of apertures30 configured to communicate air between a climate control system 32 anda seating surface 34 of the coverstock 28.

With reference now to FIG. 2A, the cushion assembly 16 is generallyconfigured for use on both a seat 40 and a seatback 42 of the vehicleseating assembly 12. However, it will be understood that theconfiguration, as illustrated, can vary and can be used in bench seatingarrangements, bucket seating arrangements, etc. It will be understood byone having ordinary skill in the art that the illustrated seat is for arear seat application. However, it will also be understood that the sameseat construction could also be applied in front seat applications.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cushion assembly 16 is generally dividedinto four fluid filled seat support elements. Specifically, the cushionassembly 16 includes a forward seat support element 16A, a rearward seatsupport element 16B, a lower seatback support element 16C, and an upperseatback support element 16D. Each seat support element 16A, 16B, 16C,and 16D is subdivided into multiple base cells 18. The seat supportelement 16A includes forward base cells and seat support element 16Bincludes rearward base cells. Likewise, the seat support element 16Cincludes lower base cells and the seat support element 16D includesupper base cells. This configuration ensures that all seat surfacesremain firm under local compression. Stated differently, when thecushion assembly 16 receives the weight of a passenger, the fluid insidethe base cells 18 is not distributed to the extremities of the cushionassembly 16, but rather because of the division of the cushion assembly16 into the seat support elements 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D and furtherdivided into the base cells 18, relative pressures in the cushionassembly 16 can be maintained. Although 12 total base cells 18 are shownbetween the seat 40 and the seatback 42, it will be understood that moreor less base cells 18 could also be applied to the seat 40 and theseatback 42 to provide the necessary support, depending on the desiredapplication. Notably, the rearward seat support element 16B of the seat40 is larger than the forward seat support element 16A. Likewise, thelower seatback support element 16C of the seatback 42 is larger than theupper seatback support element 16D. In addition, the base cells 18 ofthe seat 40 are generally divided into central base cells 50 and sidebase cells 52 with the central base cells 50 being slightly larger thanthe side base cells 52. Likewise, the base cells 18 of the seatback 42are divided into central base cells 60 and side base cells 62. However,it will be understood that all of the base cells 18 could include thesame width or depth, and that the illustrated embodiment is exemplaryand should not be construed as limiting. Indeed, in another embodiment,all of the base cells 18 include the same size and volume, and in yetanother embodiment, the side base cells 52, 62 are larger than thecentral base cells 50, 60 of either or both of the seat 40 and theseatback 42. In addition, it will be noted that rear base cells 18 ofthe reward seat support element 16B include a greater depth than thebase cells 18 of the forward seat support element 16C. The base cells 18of the rearward seat support element 16B include a rounded lower wall 70that generally conforms to a rounded, arcuate, or scalloped portion 72of the frame 14. It will be understood that the frame 14 could take on avariety of constructions, and that the base cells 18 of the seat 40 aregenerally configured to conform to the frame 14.

With reference now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is generally contemplated thatmultiple configurations may be possible for the structure andmanufacture of fluid filled cells that can be used as the base cells 18or the trim cells 22. FIGS. 4A and 4B generally illustrate two differentconfigurations and manufacturing methods that are offered to constructcells that are inflatable or finable and which can be used for multiplepurposes, including haptic trim panels or providing jounce support, forexample. The anti jounce support can be in the form of an anti jouncecell disposed in a seat portion of the vehicle seating assembly 12proximate a rear portion of the seat 40. In the illustrated embodimentof FIG. 4A, a cell construction 79 includes a top sheet 80 and a bottomsheet 82 of impermeable material are sonically welded at welding areas83 on a first side 84 and a second side 86. A central support member 90is disposed between the top sheet 80 and the bottom sheet 82 andgenerally acts as a barrier preventing fluid in a front cell 92 fromentering a rear cell 94 and fluid in the rear cell 94 from entering thefront cell 92. The central support member 90 includes connectionportions 91. The connecting portions 91 may be secured with an insidesurface of the top sheet 80 and the bottom sheet 82 via a variety ofconnecting methods, including, but not limited to, sonic welding,thermal welding, adhesive bonding, etc. Although only one centralsupport member 90 is shown, multiple central support members may bepositioned in the seat 40 or the seatback 42. In addition, the centralsupport members 90 may or may not include apertures to allow formovement of fluid between the front and rear cells 92, 94. Further, thecentral support members 90 may include varying rigidities andflexibilities, such that the central support members 90 may providestructural support inside the front and rear cells 92, 94, may limitmovement of fluid between the front and rear cells 92, 94, or acombination of the same. The material from which the front and rearcells 92, 94 can be constructed may vary depending on the application.

FIG. 4B generally illustrates another cell construction 98 is shown,wherein ventilation apertures 100 are in communication with elongatechannels 102 that extend through cells 104, but which are not in fluidcommunication with the fluid inside the cells 104. Stated differently,the cells 104 are filled or partially filled with one fluid at onepressure, while another fluid is blown through the apertures 100 ordrawn through the apertures 100 from a seating surface 106. This cellconstruction of FIG. 4B is generally contemplated for use at the trimcell 22 level, but it is also contemplated that it could be used for useas the base cell 18 with a similar construction disposed above the basecell 18 and used as the trim cell 22. It will also be contemplated thatthe channels 102 may be positioned between some, but not all, of thecells 104. Alternatively, the cell construction 98 may not include anychannels 102 or may include a channel 102 between every cell 104. It isalso contemplated that the cells 104 may include different dimensions.For example, the cells 104 disposed on a seat in an area proximate thebuttocks or legs of an occupant may include larger channels 102 thancells 104 that are on a periphery of the seat 40.

FIGS. 5 and 6 generally illustrate a variation of the cell construction98 of FIGS. 4A and 4B. In FIG. 5, a cell configuration 110 includes aplurality of ventilation apertures 112 that are in communication withelongate channels 114 that extend through a plurality of cells 116.However, the cell construction 110 also includes surface grooves 120that are disposed on a top surface 122 of the plurality of cells 116.The surface grooves 120 are generally in communication with theplurality of ventilation apertures 112, which extend into and throughthe plurality of cells 116. This construction is generally a goodconfiguration for the trim cells 22 where air is drawn from a seatingsurface 122, as generally denoted by arrows 124, or be blown outwardfrom the plurality of ventilation apertures 112. The introduction of thesurface grooves 120 provides a larger area for air to be drawn into theplurality of ventilation apertures 112 or blown out of the plurality ofventilation apertures 112, thus covering a larger area of the seatingsurface 122 and providing a more comfortable seating experience to theoccupant. Although four surface grooves 120 are shown around eachaperture 112, it will be understood that one or more surface grooves 120may be present. Further, the surface grooves 120 may have varyingdimensions. As illustrated, the surface grooves 120 taper toward adistal end 125 of each of the surface grooves 120. However, the surfacegrooves 120 could flare or maintain a constant width. In addition, thedepth and curvature of the surface grooves 120 could be adjusteddepending on desired flow rates. The surface grooves 120 could have arounded bottom, a V-shaped bottom, a square bottom, etc.

With reference now to FIGS. 7 and 8, schematic views of a vehicleseating assembly arrangement are illustrated. It will be understood thatalthough different reference numerals may be used for components of thisvehicle seating arrangement, features previously disclosed in relationto trim cells, base cells, etc. can also be applied here. For example,any of the cell constructions in FIGS. 4A-6 could be used in the vehicleseating assembly 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the illustratedembodiment, a pump 130 is disposed in a rear portion 132 of the vehicle10, and is generally controllable from a forward portion of the vehicle10 by an occupant that is sitting in the vehicle seating assembly 12 towhich the pump 130 is coupled. It is generally contemplated thatmultiple pumps 130 may be used for each seat, or that one pump 130 maybe used to supply fluid to each of the vehicle seating assemblies 12. Inthis instance, a line 134 is generally provided from the fluid pump 130to each of the vehicle seating assemblies 12, and a valve 136 controlsdelivery of fluid to the vehicle seating assembly 12 or removal of fluidfrom the vehicle seating assembly 12 to the pump 130.

With reference again to FIG. 8, a vehicle seatback 150 is supported onan adjustable seatback panel 152 that is pivotally coupled at a pivotline P with a static base panel 156. The static base panel 156 isgenerally fixed inside the vehicle 10. It is generally contemplated thatthe static base panel 156 may define both a portion of the seatback 42and a trunk area 158 of the vehicle 10. However, the adjustable seatbacksupport panel 152 may be rotated about the pivot line P, therebyallowing different reclination angles of a seating surface 160 relativeto the seat 40. In this instance, a large lower base cell 162 is shownbelow smaller upper base cells 163, 164, and 165. In addition, the upperand lower seatbacks include upper trim cells 166, 167, 168, lower trimcells 170, and pivot cells, which will be disclosed in more detailbelow. The trim cells 166, 168 may include any of the constructionspreviously discussed, and may be configured to provide climate controlat the seating surface, different levels of firmness, among otherpossible features.

With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, any of the cellconstructions in FIGS. 4A-6 could be used in the vehicle seatingassembly 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. As illustrated in FIGS. 9and 10, the seating surface 160 is rotated about pivot line P byintroduction of fluid into an adjustable reclination cell 180. Thereclination cell 180 includes a generally frustum-shaped cross-section(FIG. 10). However, the reclination cell 180 could take on a variety ofshapes and configurations. In addition, the reclination cell 180 may besecured to the static base panel 156 in a variety of manners usingfasteners, adhesive, etc. Alternatively, the reclination cell 180 mayrest on a step defined in the static base panel 156 (FIG. 11). Theadjustable reclination cell 180 is disposed between the static basepanel 156 and the adjustable seatback support panel 152 proximate anupper portion of the static base panel 156 and the adjustable seatbacksupport panel 152. The reclination cell 180 is adjustable between aninflatable condition that pivots the adjustable seatback support panel152 forward and a deflated condition that pivots the adjustable seatbacksupport panel 152 rearward. As a result, the reclination angle of theseating surface 160 of the seatback relative to the seat 40 can beadjusted.

With reference to FIG. 10, the static base panel 156 is generallydisposed at a first reclination angle α. As previously noted, the staticbase panel 156 may be used to generally separate a trunk space from anoccupant space in the vehicle 10. The adjustable seatback support panel152 is adjustable about pivot line P to various angles β, depending onthe reclination angle desired by the occupant. Notably, depending on theadjusted firmness of the trim cells 166, 167, and 168, as well as thelower trim cells 170, the angle of the back of the occupant can befurther influenced. It will be generally understood that the base cells163, 164, and 165 will maintain a general volume of fluid. However, insome instances, the base cells 163, 164, and 165 may be adjustable toaccommodate occupants of different heights and/or weights.

With reference now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the vehicle seating assembly isillustrated having side pivot cells 200 that are disposed between theadjustable seatback support panel 152 and the base cells 164. The sidepivot cells 200 allow for lateral flexibility of the seating surface 160relative to the adjustable seatback support panel 152. The side pivotcells 200 accomplish this movement by expanding, contracting, orchanging shape, depending on where the loading occurs. The loading willtypically be associated with an occupant leaning to one side andapplying body weight to that side of the seat 40. Consequently, theupper trim cells 166 proximate a first side of the seatback 42 movecloser to the adjustable seatback support panel 152, while the uppertrim cells 166 proximate a second side (the side that is not loaded) ofthe seatback 42 move away from the adjustable seatback support panel152. It is generally contemplated that the side pivot cells 200 includea fixed or a variable volume of fluid, and that the side pivot cells 200are constructed from a flexible, elastic material.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an occupant is free to turn or rotate whileseated, and the seatback 42 will accommodate such rotation and not feelrigid against the back of the occupant. With reference to FIG. 14, anoccupant can rotate slightly while seated and the seating surface 160will rotate with the occupant. In the illustrated embodiment, theoccupant rotates to an angle Δ and the seating surface 160 conforms tothe posture of the occupant and the angle of the back of the occupant.The side pivot cells 200 generally include a first side pivot cell 202,a middle pivot cell 204, and a second side pivot cell 206. Rotationgenerally occurs about a point proximate the middle pivot cell 204.However, the first side pivot cell 202, the second side pivot cell 206,and the middle pivot cell 204 all include elastically deformable walls208 that stretch under a general application of positive air pressure.In addition, the side pivot cells 200 are generally illustrated as beingat an upper portion of the vehicle seatback 42.

The various cells discussed herein may take on a variety ofconstructions and shapes. In addition, the cells may be formed from avariety of materials, depending on the desired application.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising: a frame; aseat cushion assembly comprising: a plurality of closed base cellsdisposed on the frame, each base cell having a fixed volume of fluiddisposed therein; a plurality of trim cells disposed on the base cellsand having a variable volume of fluid disposed therein, the trim cellsbeing in communication with a fluid pump; and a coverstock disposed overthe trim cells, the trim cells further defining a plurality of aperturesconfigured to communicate air between a climate control system and aseating surface of the coverstock.
 2. The vehicle seating assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising: an anti jounce cell disposed below theplurality of closed base cells.
 3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim1, wherein the plurality of apertures are in communication with elongatechannels that extend through the plurality of trim cells.
 4. The vehicleseating assembly of claim of claim 1, further comprising: surfacegrooves disposed on a top surface of the plurality of trim cells, thesurface grooves being in communication with the plurality of apertures.5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality oftrim cells are also in communication with one another.
 6. The vehicleseating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of closed base cellsinclude intermediate support members disposed therein.
 7. The vehicleseating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of closed base cellsinclude forward base cells and rearward base cells, and wherein therearward base cells have a greater depth than the forward base cells. 8.A cushion assembly for a vehicle seating assembly comprising: aplurality of closed base cells; an anti jounce cell disposed below thebase cells proximate a rear portion of the cushion assembly; a pluralityof open trim cells disposed on the base cells and in communication witha fluid pump; and a coverstock disposed over the trim cells, the trimcells further including ventilation apertures in communication with aseating surface of the coverstock.
 9. The cushion assembly of claim 8,wherein the anti jounce cell is disposed in a seat portion of thecushion assembly proximate a rear portion of the seat portion.
 10. Thecushion assembly of claim 8, wherein the anti jounce cell includes anarcuate configuration.
 11. The cushion assembly of claim 8, wherein theventilation apertures are in communication with elongate channels thatextend through the plurality of open trim cells.
 12. The cushionassembly of claim 8, further comprising: surface grooves disposed on atop surface of the plurality of open trim cells, the surface groovesbeing in communication with the ventilation apertures.
 13. The cushionassembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of open trim cells are alsoin communication with one another.
 14. The cushion assembly of claim 8,wherein the plurality of closed base cells include intermediate supportmembers disposed therein.
 15. The cushion assembly of claim 8, whereinthe plurality of closed base cells include forward base cells andrearward base cells, and wherein the rearward base cells have a greaterdepth than the forward base cells.
 16. A cushion assembly for a vehicleseating assembly comprising: a plurality of closed base cells disposedon a frame, each base cell having a fixed volume of fluid disposedtherein; a plurality of open trim cells disposed on the base cells andin communication with a fluid pump; and a coverstock disposed over thetrim cells, the trim cells further including ventilation aperturesconfigured to move air proximate a seating surface of the coverstock.17. The cushion assembly of claim 16, further comprising: an anti jouncecell disposed below the plurality of closed base cells.
 18. The cushionassembly of claim 17, wherein the anti jounce cell is disposed in a seatportion of the cushion assembly proximate a rear portion of the seatportion.
 19. The cushion assembly of claim 16, wherein the ventilationapertures are in communication with elongate channels that extendthrough the plurality of open trim cells.
 20. The cushion assembly ofclaim 16, further comprising: surface grooves disposed on a top surfaceof the plurality of open trim cells, the surface grooves being incommunication with the ventilation apertures.